Smartfish’s Engage keyboard, which we’ve heard about a number of times over the past two years, is finally available for sale. The company is billing the keyboard as “the world’s first intelligent keyboard that prevents Repetitive Stress Injury”. It does this using “a patented motion system that studies your typing frequency and subtly changes your hand and wrist position while you work.”

I know what you’re thinking: “Huh?” This will help:

The patented “ErgoMotion” technology adjusts the keyboard as you type in order to reduce the risk of RSI. As you can see from the video the changes are subtle, so we are only talking about a few degrees of tilt or rotation of the keyboard halves. It determines how and when to move based on your typing frequency (though it’s not clear whether they mean how often you type or if your are, say, using the number pad a lot). The minor change in hand position decreases the likelihood of repetitive stress injury.

This looks interesting, but I’m far from sold. I do think that changing your typing position from time to time will help, but RSI is a complex thing and hand position is not the only factor. For example, how hard you type is also important which is one reason why we see people using different key switches. Also it’s not really clear why the keyboard is adjusting at any given time, I’d love to learn more about the intelligence behind it. Finally, I’m hesitant about this because if the base has moving parts there is the chance they won’t feel solid, which will have a negative impact on the typing experience.

I’m looking forward to trying out the Engage keyboard, but until them I’ll just switch between keyboards now and then–that seems to be keeping my wrists in good shape.

Reader Comments

http://www.aboutadirk.com Dirk

That looks especially annoying to me.

As an avid gamer, programmer & designer, I really don’t look forward to using that monster. I must add that I’ve only had RSI once (for a period of a couple of weeks) due to being “out of it” for a while & returning to full time programming. It was fixed by actually playing more basketball in my spare time.

In my opinion, the best way to combat RSI, is exercise.

(and indeed, I’m hardly a doctor.)

Dirk van Boxtel

That looks especially annoying to me.

As an avid gamer, programmer & designer, I really don’t look forward to using that monster. I must add that I’ve only had RSI once (for a period of a couple of weeks) due to being “out of it” for a while & returning to full time programming. It was fixed by actually playing more basketball in my spare time.